Drapery pleating and pressing machine



Oct. 27, 1964 .1. E. KLiNT, JR

DRAPERY PLEATING AND PRESSING MACHINE 7 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Sept. 13,1961 INVENTOR. JOSEPH E. KLINT, JR.

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l'lll'lllllll ATT'YS Oct. 27, 1964 J. E. KLINT, JR

DRAPERY PLEATING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 13, 1961 7Sheets-Sheet 3 I!!!I!I'll,llliilllliililirplpm viz/[11111 INVENTOR:JOSEPH E. KLINT, JR.

ATT YS Oct. 27, 1964 J. E. KLlNT, JR

DRAPERY PLEA'IING AND PRESSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 13,1961 INVENTOR: JOSEPH E. KLINT, JR.

ATT'YS 1954 J. E. KLINT, JR 3,154,228

DRAPERY PLEATING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 13, 1961 7Sheets-Sheet 5 I50 I56/ I54 INVENTOR:

JOSEPH E. KLINT, JR.

BY YA) ATT'YS Oct. 27, 1964 J. E. KLlNT, JR

DRAPERY PLEATING AND PRESSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 13,1961 FIG. I7

INVENTOR: JOSEPH E. KLINT, JR

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ATT YS 1964 J. E. KLINT, JR 3, 5

DRAPERY PLEATING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 13, 1961 7Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG.

+1 INVENTOR:

JOSEPH E. KLINT, JR.

ATT 'Y S United States Patent 3,154,228 DEAPERY PLEATIN G AND PRESSINGMACIBNE Joseph E. Khnt, In, 13% W. Acre Road, Joliet, EL, assignor ofone-half to Alex Dreier, Chicago, Ill. Filed Sept. 13, 1961, Ser. No.137,882 19 Claims. ((31. 223-892) This invention relates to a machinecapable of simultaneously pleating and pressing drapes. More inparticular this invention relates to a drapery pleating 'and pressingmachine capable of performing both pleating and pressing simultaneouslyin one machine operation employing only two operators. Still more inparticular this invention relates to pleating and pressing of drapes ofassorted lengths and widths up to maximum size for which the machine ofthis invention is selectively constructed.

Draperies present a particular problem in the fabric cleaning industryin that they are large and cumbersome to handle. There are several knownmethods for pressing of such draperies requiring a large space for thispurpose and several operators. Also there are several known methods forpleating drapes and the like as a separate and distinct operation fromthat of pressing. These known pleating methods also require a largespace as well as additional operators. Thus according to known methodsthe cost of pressing and pleating of drapes is disproportionately highto the customer for the above mentioned reasons. It is therefore a primeobject of this invention to provide a machine capable of pressing theentire surface of, and simultaneously pleating, a drapery or the like ina single machine operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine accordingto the preceding object which requires not more than two operatorstherefor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a machineaccording to the preceding objects which requires substantially lessfloor space than heretofore required.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pressing and pleatingmachine which is power operated whereby the pressing and pleating ofdraperies and the like is accomplished uniformly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a power drivenpressing and pleating machine for draperies wherein the pressed andpleated drapes and the like are in compact form, free of Wrinkles, andready for packing and shipping without further operations.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a power drivenpressing and pleating machine for draperies and the like wherein a novelsteam jet construction is employed for uniformly moistening thedraperies in the pressing and pleating operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a power drivenpressing and pleating machine for draperies and the like wherein a novelmovable clamping means of power actuated construction is employed forgripping the upper end portion of the drapes in pleated form forpropelling the drape through the pressing and pleating mechanism.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a pressing andpleating machine for draperies according to the preceding objectswherein the depth of the pleats may be varied selectively as desired.

3,154,223 Patented Get. 27, 1964 Still another important object of thisinvention is to provide a pressing and pleating machine for draperies,according to the preceding objects, having a rugged construction and ofrelatively low construction, maintenance and operating cost.

These and other desirable and important objects inherent in andencompassed by the invention will be more readily understood from theensuing description, the appended claims and the annex drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective view of the pressing and pleatingmachine of this invention in assembled form.

FIGURE 2 is a side view, partly in section and partly broken away, takenlongitudinally along the center portion of the machine of this inventionillustrated in FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 2A is a sectional view taken on the line 2A 2A of FIGURE 2illustrating the supporting means for the vertically movable pleatingframe and the movable upper pressing device of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a detailed view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, partly insection and partly broken away, showing one of the pleating loops inoperative position with a section of drapery.

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 2, partly insection and partly broken away, illustrating interdigitated pressingelements in operative position with a section of drapery.

FIGURE 5 is a detailed view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, partly insection and broken away, showing ee of the pressing rolls in operativeposition with a section of drapery.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view taken on line 66 of FIGURE 2, partly insection and broken away, showing a portion of the clamping head ofFIGURE 13 in operative position with the upper end portion of a sectionof drapery.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the construction details of the vertically movableupper pressing element of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view taken on line S8 of FIGURE 2, partly insection and broken away, showing the construction details of one of thepressing rolls in operative relation with a section of drapery.

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic view in perspective illustrating thearrangement of the principal components of this invention in operativerelation with a drapery.

FIGURE 10 is a side view, partly in section and broken away,illustrating a power driven carriage horizontally movable on asupporting table wherein a drapery is nearing completion or" thepressing and pleating operation on the machine of this invention andfurther showing means for progressively preparing the drapery so thatremoval thereof is simplified.

3 rolren away, not apparent from FIGURE 1 showing the movable powerdriven carriage and associated clamping head of novel construction fordrawing the drapery through the pleating and pressing elements.

FIGURE 14 is a rear view, partly broken away, of the extreme leftwardpair of clamping blocks of the clamping head shown in FIGURE 13illustrating the linkage details thereof.

FIGURE 15 is a rearward view of the clamping head taken on line 15I5 ofFIGURE 13, partly in section and broken away, showing the clamping headin open position and construction details thereof.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section and brokenaway, showing further details of consrtuction of the clamping head notapparent from FIG- URES 13, 14 and 15.

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of one manual clamp employed forsecuring a group of pleats in the drapery to prepare it for simplifiedremoval from the machine of this invention as mentioned in the abovedescription for FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 18 is a side view taken on line 18-18 of FIGURE 13, partly insection and broken away, illustrating the details of the drive mechanismfor the power driven movable carriage of the present invention.

FIGURE 19 is a diagram illustrating the steam circuit for heating thepressing elements and jet sprayers as well as pneumatic connections forthe cylinders and electrical connections for the motors, solenoidoperated steam valves and solenoid operated pneumatic valves on themachine of this invention.

With continued reference to the drawings the numeral 26 in FIGURE 1indicates generally the arrangement in assembled for-m of the draperypleating and pressing machine of this invention. As illustrated inFIGURE 1 the machine 26 is in open position ready for insertion of adrapery to be pleated and pressed simultaneously.

The machine 24 includes a stationary horizontal supporting table,indicated at 21, with support legs 22, 23, 24 and 25 as shown. Mountedon the forward end portion of the table 21, as viewed in FIGURE 1, is astationary lower pressing device indicated generally at 26. The lower.pressing device 26 comprises a front steam header 27 and a rear steamheader 28 disposed laterally in longitudinal spaced relation with aplurality of inverted channel shaped steam conducting tubes 29 havingtheir respective ends communicatively connected to each of the headers27 and 28. The tubes 29 are rigidly connected to the headers 27 and 28and positioned uprightly in the longitudinal direction of the table 21and in parallel spaced relation as shown best in FIGURE 1.

Each of the steam headers 27 and 28 comprises a large diameter pipeclosed on one end with a cap, such as at SI. The other end of header 27communicates with a steam inlet conduit 30 as shown in FIGURE 2 whilethe other end of header 23 is provided with a steam outlet conduit 32.The outlet conduit 32 leads to a conventional steam trap indicated at 33in FIGURE 19. Thus it can be seen that when steam is admitted from asource (not shown) into the inlet conduit 39 the headers 27, 28 andtubes 29 will become heated and the steam condensate is discharged fromthe trap 33 through its discharge pipe 34 (FIGURE 19).

Mounted on the stationary table 21 in rigid relation is a verticalframe, indicated at 35, extending laterally from one side of the table21 to the opposite side thereof. The vertical frame 35 comprises a firstchannel beam 36 (FIGURE 1) and a second channel beam 37 (FIGURE 2). Thelower ends of the beams 36 and 37 are secured vertically to the table 21midway between the steam headers 27 and 28 as best seen in FIGURES 1 and2. Rigidly connected to the upper ends of the beams 36 and 37 is a crosschannel beam 38. Thus the beams 36, 37 and 38 form the vertical frame 35which is rigid with the table 21.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 the channel beam 37 is provided with a pair ofrack elements 39 and 40 secured, as by welding, to the outer facesthereof as shown. In a similar manner the channel beam 36 is alsoprovided with a pair of rack members, one of which is shown at 41 inFIGURE 1.

Supported on the vertical frame 35 is a vertically movable upperpressing device generally indicated at 42 in FIGURES l and 2. The upperpressing device 42 in cludes a horizontal frame 43 of rectangular shapewhich may conveniently be comprised of four angle irons 44, 45, 46(FIGURE 2) and 47 (FIGURE 1), welded together at their ends to form theframe 43. As shown the frame 43 includes a pair of re-enforcing bars orrods 48 and 49 (FIGURE 2) spaced apart longitudinally of the table andextending in the direction transversely thereof. In addition thehorizontal frame 43 is provided with a centrally disposed channel beam5%) disposed between the rods 48 and 4? with its flanges extendingupwardly. The channel beam 50 is secured at its ends, as by welding, tothe angle irons 45 and 47 and the sides of the beam 5% are welded to andalong the length of the rods and 49. Thus the angle irons 44, 45, 46, 47and the rods 48, 49 with the channel beam 50 form a rigid structurecomprising the horizontal frame 43.

Referring again to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the angle iron 45 ofthe horizontal frame 43 is provided with a bearing block 51 securedthereto adjacent the rod 48. Likewise the angle iron 47 (FIGURE 1) isalso provided with a bearing block 52 in axially alined relation withthe bearing block 51. Rotatably disposed in the alined bearing blocks 51and 52 is a shaft 53. Constrained for rotation with one end of shaft 53is a pinion 54 in meshed relation with the rack 39. The other end of theshaft 53 is provided with a pinion 55 (FIGURE 1) also constrained forrotation therewith and in meshed relation with the rack 41. In a similarmanner but positioned rearwardly of the vertical frame 35 the horizontalframe 43 is provided with a second pair of bearing blocks one of whichis shown at 56 in FIGURE 2 and at 57 in FIGURE 1, both being in axialalinement with each other. A second shaft 58 (FIGURE 2) is rotatablysupported by the bearing blocks 56 and 57. The leftward end of shaft 58is provided with a pinion 59 constrained for rotation therewith and inmeshed relation with the rackA-ll as shown best in FIGURE 2. Therightward end of the second shaft 58 'is also provided with a pinion(not shown) in meshed relation with a rack (not shown) mounted on thefirst channel beam 35 on the rearward side thereof. It will now beapparent that shafts 53 and 58 are in parallel spaced relation with eachother, the shaft 53 being forward of the vertical frame 35 and the shaft58 being rearward of the frame 35. It will also be apparent from thearrangement just described that the horizontal frame 43 is movable in avertical direction within the vertical frame 35 and that the racks andpinions, with shafts 53 and 58, will always maintain the frame 43 in astable horizontal position thus precluding any pivotal movement.

Mounted on the stationary cross channel beam 38 of the vertical frame 35is a pneumatic power cylinder generally indicated at 64 which may be ofconventional construct-ion. The power cylinder 60 is provided with apiston 61 connected to the upper end of a piston rod or work member 62.The lower end of the work member 62 is rigidly connected to thevertically movable channel beam 5%) as by bolt 63. The power cylinder 60is provided with a first conduit 64 leading to the upper cylinderchamber 65 and a second conduit 66 leading to the lower cylinder chamber67. As viewed in FIGURES 1 and 19 a second cylinder, indicated at 68, ismounted on the stationary cross channel beam 38 in parallel relationwith the power cylinder 64?. The second cylinder 68 is of a constructionsimilar to that of the power cylinder 60, having a piston and piston rod69 (FIGURE 19) connected to the channelv r cc beam 59. The function ofthe second cylinder 68 is that of a dashpot which limits the rate ofmovement of the vertically movable upper pressing device 42 in aconventional manner. For this purpose the cylinder 68 is provided withadjustable bleeder valves 79 and 71 (FIGURE 19). One side of the bleedervalve 7? communicates with the upper cylinder chamber 72 while one sideof bleeder valve 71 communicates with the lower cylinder chamber 73 ofthe second cylinder 68. The other side of the bleeder valves 76 and 71are open to the atmosphere. Thus by selective adjustment of bleedervalves 7-9 and 71 the second cylinder 68 effectively controls the rateof the up and down movement of the upper pressing device 42.

Mounted rigidly on the horizontal frame 43 of the vertically movableupper pressing device 42 is a series type steam coil indicated at 74,the form of thiscoil being best seen in FIGURE 7. The coil 74 comprisesa continuous conduit having a steam inlet from a source (not shown) at75 and a steam outlet at 76 which communicates with the steam trap 33(FIGURE 19) in a conventional manner. Thus the steam coil 74 becomesheated when charged with steam. The steam coil '74 is provided withvertical U-shaped portions 77 which are rigidly connected, as bywelding, to the horizontal frame 43 of the upper pressing device 42. Thesteam coil 74 is also provided with a plurality of horizontally disposedheating tubes 7 3 (one less than the number of tubes 29) extendinglongitudinally of the work table 21 in laterally spaced relation witheach other a best seen in FF 1 and 2. Now

the steam coil 74 is so positioned that when the upper pressing device42 is moved downwardly by the action of the power cylinder 69 theheating tubes 73 mesh or interdigitate with the steam conducting tubes29 of the stationary lower pressing device 26 as best shown in FIGURE 4.

The horizontal frame 43 is also provided with a pair of limit stops oneach side thereof two of which are shown at 79 and 8% in FIGURE 2. Theselimit stops are for the purpose of limiting the downward movement of theupper pressing device 42 when the power cylinder so is energized formovement in a downward direction as will become more evident laterherein.

Positioned between the vertically movable upper pressing device 42 andthe stationary lower pressing device 25 as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2 isa vertically movable pleating rack generally indicated at 8-. Referringto FIG- URE l, the pleating rack 31 includes a pair of longitudinallyextending channel beams 82 and 33, in laterally spaced relation, rigidlyconnected at their ends by transversely extending rods 84 and 35 to forma rigid structure of rectangular shape. Midway between its ends, eachchannel beam 32 and 83 is rigidly connected, as by welding, to the upperend of a vertically disposed channelshaped member 56, as best shown inFIGURES 2 and 2A. It will be seen from FIGURE 2A that the verticalchannelshaped member 36 is in nested slidable relation with thestationary second channel beam 37 of the vertical frame 35. The lowerend of the member is provided with a horizontal crosspiece 87, as bestseen in FIGURES 2 and 2A, and secured to the crosspiece 87, as bywelding, is a running nut 88 also shown in FIGURES 2 and 2A.

Referring to FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the channel beam 37, of thestationary vertical frame 35, extends below the table 21 and is alsoprovided with a horizontal crosspiece 89 secured to the lower endthereof as by welding. Secured to this crosspiece is a bearing element99 and journaled for rotation in the bearing element $3 is an upwardlyextending threaded shaft 91 in threaded relation with the running nut83. Secured to the threaded shaft 91 in abutting relation to the upperside of the horizontal crosspiece 89 is a flange 22 which serves as athrust hearing and prevents downward movement of the threaded shaft 91.At the lower end of the threaded shaft 91 in secured relation is a bevelgear 93. From this it is apparent that if the bevel gear 93 is rotatedthe vertical chimnel member 86 and its associated channel beam 83 of thepleating rack 81 moves in a vertical direction. Thus a means has beendescribed for moving in a vertical direction the left hand side, asviewed in FIGURE 1, of the pleating rack 81. A similar arrangement (notshown) is provided for moving the right hand side of the pleating rack81 in a vertical direction along the stationary vertical frame member 36and means will now be described for driving the threaded shafts at bothsides of the machine simulutaneously for moving the horizontallydisposed pleating rack 81 in a vertical direction.

Mounted on the under side of the table 21, between the lower ends of thefirst and second channel beams 36 and 37 of the stationary verticalframe 35, in alinemen-t with the laterally disposed bevel gears, one ofwhich is shown at 93 in FIGURE 2, is a pair of bearing members one ofwhich is shown at 94 which may be secured to the table 21 as by bolts 5and 96. Journalled for rotation in the bearing members is a transverselyextending shaft 97. On each end of the shaft 97, in secured relation, isa bevel gear, one of which is shown at 98, in meshed relation with therespective bevel gear 93. Care should be exercised in the meshingrelation of the bevel gears on the shaft 97 so that they rotate thethreaded shaft 91 and its corresponding threaded shaft on the other side(not shown) in the proper direction as otherwise both left and rightsides of the pleating frame 81 will not move in the same direc tionwhich of course should be avoided.

The shaft 97 is rotatable in either direction under power of an electricmotor 99 secured to the under side of the table 21 as shown in FIGURES 1and 2. The reversible motor 99 drives the shaft 97 by a sprocket wheel1% in alinement with a sprocket wheel (not shown) secured to the shaft97 and a conventional sprocket chain 181 as shown in FIGURE 2. Thus itis apparent that the operation of the electric motor 93 in one directionelevates the pleating rack 81 and that the rack 81 is lowered when theelectric motor 9? is operated in the other direction. For convenience inaccurately controlling the vertical position of the pleating rack 31 ameasuring scale 192 is mounted on the stationary first channel beam 36of the vertical frame 35 and a pointer 103 registerable with the scalewe is mounted on the channel beam 82 of the pleating rack 81.

Referring again to FIGURE 1 each of the rods 84 and of the pleating rack81 is provided with a plurality of pleating loops 1% mounted inlaterally spaced relation. The lateral spacing of the pleating loops 104is such that, when rotated about the axes of rods 84 and 85, they willinterdigitate with the steam conducting tubes 29 of the stationary lowerpressing device 26 as best seen in FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURE 2 the pleating loops 104 each comprises a rod shapedto a circle and having the ends thereof extending outwardly, parallelwith each other, to form a key-hole shaped structure. The ends of therod forming the pleating loop 104 are secured rigidly to a block 1594.The block 1&4 is journalled for rotation about the rod 84 (or 85) excepthowever that stop means, such as back-bars 84' and 85', as shown in FIG.2, may be provided for limiting the angular movement of the loops in therearward direction. As viewed in FIGURE 2 each or" the pleating loops164 can rotate about 235 from the position shown, in a counter-clockwisedirection indicated by the arrows, to a downward position wherein thecenter x as indicated in FIG. 9 li s in a vertical plane coinciding withthe axis of rod 84- (or 85). The pleating loops 164 are not movable inan axial direction but each can be rotated independently of the otherswhich is an important feature of this invention as will be seen laterherein.

Now in order to ensure firm contact of the drapery material with theupper surface of heating tubes 29 of the stationary lower pressingdevice 26 during pressing the vertically movable upper pressing device42 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced upper roller 7members or rolls 195 best shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. Each roller member165 comprises a hub 1% journalled for free rotation on shaft 197.Secured to the hub 106 is a soft, felt-like pad 198 having its outerperiphery arcuately shaped to cooperate with the upper outer surface ofa heating tube 29 as best seen in FIGURES and 8. Spacer elements 199 arefixed to the shaft 197 in order to laterally space each of the rollermembers 105 so that each may cooperate with a corresponding heating tube29 of the stationary lower pressing device 26. Thus the roller members105 are freely rotatable on the shaft 1117 but are not movable in anaxial direction.

At this point it will become apparent that the shaft 107 carrying theroller members 105 must also be movable in a vertical direction withrespect to its support means, i.e. the vertically movable upper pressingdevice 42. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 it will be seen that the upperpressing device 42 is provided with a pair of conventional powercylinders 110 and 111. The work members of the cylinders 110 and 111 areeach provided with a bearing, one of which is shown at 112 in FIGURE 2,in support relation for the shaft 187. From this it can be seen thatwhen the cylinders 110 and 111 are energized simultaneously the shaft107 carrying the roller members 1135 is moved downwardly to the position195 shown in phantom in FIGURE 2. Now when the cylinder 61) isenergized, the upper pressing device 42 moves downwardly until its limitstops 79 and Stl engage the pleating device 81. However the stroke ofthe cylinders 110 and 111 is sufficiently great that the roller members105 will reach the position 105" indicated in phantom in FIGURE 2whereby they will engage with the upper surfaces of the heating tubes 29of the lower pressing device 26 with a predetermined force as will behereinafter described. A similar arrangement of second or lower rollermembers, which are adapted to engage the underside of the heating tubes78 of the vertically movable upper pressing device 42, will now bedescribed.

Secured to the underside of table 21 in vertical alinement with powercylinders 110 and 111 are a second pair of power cylinders, one of whichis shown at 113 in FIGURE 2. The second pair of power cylinders 113operate in opposed relation with respect to cylinders 110 and 111. Eachof these two second power cylinders have their respective work membersprovided with bearings, one of which is indicated at 115 in dotted linesin FIGURE 2, supporting a lateral shaft 114 also shown in FIGURE 5.Referring to FIGURE 5 a plurality of roller members or rolls 116 arerotatably mounted on the shaft 114 in a manner similar to that describedfor roller members 1415 except that they are laterally spaced forcooperative engagement with the lower surfaces of the heating tubes 78of the upper pressing device 42. The construction of the roller members116 may be similar to that of roller members 105. Thus it will be seenthat when the upper pressing device 42 is lowered by the energizing ofthe cylinder do the heating tubes 78 will move downwardly to theposition shown at 7 8' in phantom in FIGURE 2. Subsequent energizing ofthe second cylinders 113 now moves the second roller members 116upwardly to the position 116 shown in phantom in FIG- URE 2 whereby theyengage the underside of the heating tubes 78 at 78' as shown in FIGURE5. At this point is should be mentioned that the expansible forceexerted by the four power cylinders operating the roller members 195 and116 should be low so that the heating tubes 29 and 78 are notpermanently deformed and, further, must aggregately be insufficient toretract the cylinder 69" against operating pressure applied. This can bereadily accomplished by the proper selection of cylinder sizes andoperating fluid pressures as is conventionally understood by thoseskilled in the art.

In order to moisten the underside of the drapery material for pressing anovel and unique moisture dispenser or steam jet sprayer 117 is mountedon the forward portion of the table 21 between the rollers 116 and thefront steam header 27 as indicated in FIGURES l, 2, 4 and 9. A similarlyconstructed jet sprayer 118 is positioned just forwardly of the rearsteam header 28 as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2. Since the jet sprayerdevices 117 and 113 are of identical construction only the sprayerdevice 117 will be described.

Referring to FIGURE 11 it will be seen that the jet sprayer 117comprises an inner tube 119 in which steam pressure is constantlymaintained and thus always heated. Surrounding the horizontal portion ofthe tube 119 in sealed relation, as by welding, is an outer jacket 120having a steam inlet conduit 121 cornmunicatively con- ;nected to thechamber 122 formed by the outer jacket 12% and the inner tube 119. Theouter jacket 120 is provided with a plurality of small apertures ororifices 123 in horizontal alinement along the top thereof. Steamentering the conduit 121 is discharged upwardly through the orifices 123as indicated in FIGURES 4, 9 and 11. The sizes of the various orificesmay vary to obtain a uniform spray throughout the length of the jetsprayer 117.

Now in order to prevent the formation of steam condensate within thechamber 122 particularly during intermittent periods of sprayingoperation, the inner tube 119 is maintained under steam pressure whichserves to keep the sprayer hot at all times. Thus residual steam fromconduit 121 does not condense within the chamber 122 but is kept invapor form. From this it is readily apparent that when the sprayer 117is operated there is no liquid water discharged from the orifices 123but only live steam. This arrangement thus avoids any discharge of aliquid stream of water to the underside of the drapery material A whichwould moisturize it nonuniformly.

In order to move the drapery material A uniformly along the work table21 and through the lower and upper pressing devices 26 and 42 duringpressing and pleating operations the rearward portion of the table 21,rearwardly of the pressing devices 26 and 42, is provided with a powerdriven carriage indicated at 124 in FIG- URES 1, 10, 13 and 18.

Referring to FIGURE 13 it will be seen that along the longitudinal edgesof the table 21 are mounted upwardly extending guide rails 125 and 126.Onthe upper surface of the table 21 immediately inside of the guiderails 125 and 126 are mounted in rigid relation a pair of racks 127 and128 which extend a distance at least equal to the range of thelongitudinal movement of the carriage 124. The carriage 124 comprises abase plate 129 having a pair of arms, one of which is shown at 130 inFIGURE 13, extending forwardly on each side thereof. The forward end ofeach of these arms 136 is provided with a castor wheel 131 rollable onthe upper surface of table 21 in support relation. The rearward endportions of the arms 13% are each provided with bearings at 132 and 133in transverse alinement on the under side thereof. Journalled forrotation in the bearings 132 and 133 is a transverse shaft 134.Constrained for rotation with and positioned on each end of thetransverse shaft 134 are pinions 135 and 136. The pinion 135 issupported by rack 127 in meshed relation and pinion 136 is supported byrack 128 in meshed relation. Thus it can be seen that driven rotation ofthe transverse shaft 134 moves positively the carriage 124 in alongitudinal direction. The outer surfaces of the pinions 135 and 136prevent any transverse movement of the carriage 124. Further, no pivotalmovement of the carriage 124 occurs as both pinions 135 and 136 areconstrained for rotation with the transverse shaft 134. Means will nowbe described for moving the carriage 124 longitudinally along the table21 under power rearwardly of the steam header 28.

Approximately at the transverse center of the base plate 129 of carriage124 is mounted a rearwardly extending arm 137 as shown in FIGURES 13 and18. Mounted on the upper surface of the base plate 129 and arm 137 is aconventional gear speed reducer 138 powered by a conventional reversibleelectric motor 139. Referring to FIGURE 18 the output shaft 14% of thegear reducer 133 is provided with a sprocket wheel 141 shown in dottedlines. The sprocket wheel is constrained for rotation with the outputshaft. Mounted on the transverse shaft 134 and constrained for rotationtherewith is another sprocket wheel 142. (FIGURES l3 and 18) inalinement with sprocket wheel 141 and a sprocket chain 143 (FIGURE 18)is operatively provided for the sprocket wheels 141 and 142 in aconventional marmer. Thus when the electric motor 139 is energized ineither direction the carriage 124 moves slowly in a longitudinaldirection along the table 21 in the corresponding direction. A pair ofelectric switches are provided in the box 146 (FIGURE 13). The firstswitch controls the power supply to the electric motor 139 and isoperated by the lever 144. The second switch controls the direction ofrotation of the electric motor 139 and is operated by the lever 145 forconvenience to one of the operators. A foot operated electric switch146' (FI-"URE l) is provided for convenience of the other operator tostop the carriage 124 movement in the event of necessity or emergency.Restarting the carriage is accomplished by operating a switch buttonlocated on the switch panel 148 in FIGURE 1. Also as shown in FIGURE 18on the under side of the arm 139 is mounted a microswitch 157 operativeto stop movement of the carriage 124 when the maximum longitudinalposition in either direction is reached. Such movement limiting meansare conventionally known.

The carriage 124 includes a novel clamping head indicated generally at149 in FIGURE 13. The clamping head 149 comprises a pair of transverseangle irons b and 151 secured at their ends to the arms 13% so as toface each other, as best seen in FIGURES 13, 16 and 18. Disposed inside-by-side relation within the angle irons 153 and 151 is a pluralityof clamp elements 152, 15211 and 152a all slidable in a transverse drection. A similarly constructed clamping element 1520 is securedrigidly to the angle irons 15% and 151 as by pin, screw or bolt 153 andis thus not movable transversely.

Referring now to FTGURE 15 it will be seen that clamping elements 15242and 152d and each of the intermediate clamping elements 152 therebetweenare provided with bores 154 having bearing metal sleeves 155 disposedtherein in axial alignment transversely of the table 21. Clampingelements 1525b and 152s are rigidly connected together by a guide rod156 which rod slidably passes through sleeves 155 of clamping elements152a and 152d and the intermediate clamping elements 152 therebetween.

Mounted on the base plate 123 rigidly is a conventional fluid operatedreversible ram 153 as best seen in FIG- URE 13. The work member 159(FIGURE 15) of the ram 153 is rigidly connected to the outer side ofclamping element 1520 as by plate 16$? welded thereto. and 152a and theintermediate clamping elements 152 is adjacent to and rigidly connectedto clamping e1..- rnent 152i).

Referring to FIGURES 14, 15 and 16 it will be seen that clamping element152a is provided with a pin 163 extending therethrough in a longitudinaldirection and projecting from each end of the element. Likewise clampingelement 15% is provided with a pin 163; and the intermediate clampingelements 152d and 152 are each provided with pairs of pins 163 as shown.Connecting the pins 163 between each pair of adjacent clamping elementsis a lost motion link 161 having a pair of elongated holes 162 as bestshown in FIGURES 14, 15 and 16. Similar lost motion links (not shown)are provided on the forward sides of the clamping elements. From theabove it will become apparent that when the ram 153 is energizedexpansively the clamping elements 15% and 1520 move leftwardly, asviewed in FIGURE 15, to first close the opening or gap 164 betweenelements 15% and 152d and thereafter progressively closing the gapsbetween the intermediate clamping elements 152, and finally closing thegap 165 adjacent the stationary clamping element 152a. Subsequentenergizing of the ram 158 retractively first opens to form gap 164limited by the respective lost motion link 161. Thereafter clampingelement 152d is moved rightwardly through the limit of its associatedsecond lost motion link, and so on progressively until finally the gap165 is again formed. Thus in the position shown in FIGURES 14 and 15 theclamping head 149 is in open position, i.e., having a gap between eachof the clamping elements (except between 15% and 1520). The ram 158 maybe energized by conventional means such as a solenoid operated pneumaticvalve 166 (FIG- URE 19).

From the above it may be appreciated that when the clamping head 149 isin open position as viewed in FIG- URES 14 and 15 each of the gaps (e.g.164) is adapted to receive a group of folds or pleats in the drapery Awhich normally are sewn together at the upper end thereof. Thus theclamping head 149 should be provided with a suflicient number of clampelements 152 to provide enough gaps to accommodate the widest draperythat the machine 24 is intended to handle.

As was previously explained the jet steam sprayers 117 and 118 moistenor dampen the under side of the drapery A. Now in order to moisten theupper side of the drapery A as may be needed, a manually operated j tsteam sprayer 167 is provided as shown in FIGURES I, 9, l3 and 19.Referring to FIGURE 13, the manual sprayer 167 is of light-weightconstruction. The outlet orifice or nozzle 168 is the means fordischarging steam. An insulated handle or jacket 169 surrounds theconduit 170 which serves to prevent the user from being burned by thenormally hot conduit 170. An electric push-button switch 171 is mountedon the outer surface of the handle 169 convenient to the operator.Closing of the switch 171 actuates to open position the solenoidoperated steam valve 172 (FIGURE 19) thereby discharging steam throughthe nozzle 168. A bracket 173 (FIGURE 13) is mounted on the side of thetable 21 conveniently as a holder for the manual steam sprayer 167 whennot in use.

FIGURE 19 illustrates diagrammatically both the pneumatic and steamconnections for the machine 20. Steam enters from a source (not shown)through the main conduit 174 thence through a main shut-off valve 175 toconduit 174' which feeds conduit 175. The conduit 176 leads directly tothe inlet side of steam coil 74 of the vertically movable upper pressingdevice 42 through flexible steam hose 177. The outlet side of the steamcoil 74 communicates to conduit 178 through flexible steam hose 179. Theconduit 178 communicates with the inlet side of steam trap 33 throughconduit 18%. The outlet side of the steam trap 33 communicates with thesteam condensate discharge pipe 34.

The steam conduit 176 also feeds the front steam header 27 throughbranch conduit 189. A steam valve 182 is interposed in the conduit 189for controlling the steam to the front steam header 27 and itsassociated steam conducting tubes 2? of the stationary lower pressingdevice 26. The steam return or outlet 32, from the rear header 28,communicates with conduit 178 through conduit 183 for dispositionthrough the trap 33 as previously explained.

The inner tubes 119 of each of the jet sprayers 117 and 118 receivesteam from conduit 176 through branch conduit 184. The return steam linefrom the sprayers 117 and 118 communicate with return steam conduit 178through branch conduits 185 for discharge through trap 33 as explainedpreviously. The chambers 122 of the sprayers 117 and 118 receive steamfrom pressure conduit 176 through branch conduits 186 which isdischarged through orifices 123 as previously described. Solenoid steamvalves 187 are interposed in conduits 186 for the purpose of controllingthe discharge of steam orifices 123 of the sprayers 117 and 118. Thesolenoid valves 187 are operated by a suitable switch disposed on theswitch panel 148 (FIGURE 1). a

As shown in FIG. 19, the manually operated sprayer 167 receives steamfrom pressure conduit 176 leading to the inlet side of solenoid valve172. The outlet side of the solenoid valve 172 communicates directlywith the nozzle 168 through conduit 188 which passes directly throughthe insulated handle 169.

The pneumatic power cylinder 60 receives compressed air from a source(not shown) through pipes 191 connected to solenoid pneumatic doublevalve 193. The valve 193 is of a conventional type which operates in thefollowing described manner.

When the pedal switch 194 (FIGURES 1 and 19) is open the pipe 191communicates with pipe 66 which pressurizes the cylinder 60 forelevating the vertically movable upper pressing device 42, the pipe 64being vented to discharge pipe 196 through the solenoid valve 193. Uponclosing the pedal switch 194 the pressure feed pipe 191 communicateswith pipe 64 which energizes the cylinder 60 expansively for loweringthe upper pressing device 42 while the pipe 66 is vented to thedischarge pipe -196 through the solenoid valve 193.

The solenoid pneumatic valves 197 and 198 for operating the powercylinders 110 and 113, respectively, to actuate the upper and lowerpress rollers 105 and 116, respectively, are similar to the valve 193,being of the double type. Actuation expansively and retractively of thepower cylinders 110 and 113 is accomplished in the same manner as thatdescribed for the power cylinder 60 except that the electrical controlswitches are conveniently located on the switch panel 148 (FIGURE 1).The reversible electric motor 99 for adjusting the height of thepleating rack 81 is also controlled by suitable switches located on theswitch panel 148 of FIGURE 1.

Having now described the construction in detail of the drapery pleatingand pressing machine 20 of this invention, the operation thereof willnow be described.

Operation As stated previously two operators are required for efficientoperation of the machine 20. The front operator is positioned at theforward end of table 21 and the rear operator is positioned at the sideof table 21 adjacent the manual jet steam sprayer 1 67 as viewed inFIGURE 1.

The main steam valve 175 and valve 182 are opened thereby permitting thesteam coil 74 of the movable upper pressing device 42, the steamconducting tubes 29 of the stationary lower pressing device 26, theinner tubes 119 of jet steam sprayers 117 and 118, and the jacket 169 ofthe manual sprayer 1457 to become heated by steam pressure. Next thepower cylinders 60, 110, 113 and 158 are energized retractively. Thusthe upper pressing device 42 will elevate to its upper limit, theclamping head 149 will open and the press rolls 105 and 116 will retractupwardly and downwardly, respectively.

Next the operators determine the depth of the pleats on the drapery bysimple measurement at the top thereof. Conventional draperies includepleats sewn at the top thereof by forming one or more small folds sewedtogether, usually having a stay in each fold. These sewn folds arespaced apart equidistantly having the effect of gathering the drapematerial along the top uniformly, thereby forming pleats which extendthrough the vertical length of the drape. The operator measures thedistance between these adjacent sewn folds. Having this information thefront operator then operates the electric motor 99 to elevate or lowerthe pleating rack 81 to the proper adjusted position as indicated by thepointer 193 on the measuring scale 162 shown in FIGURE 1. Lastly, therear operator operates the electric motor 139 to move the carriage 124forwardly to its limit. The machine 20 12 will then be substantially inthe position shown in FIGURE 1.

The front operator now inserts the top end of a drapery A into themachine, over the heating tubes 29 of the stationary lower pressingdevice 26, moving the drapery A rearwardly lengthwise of the table 21 sothat the rear operator can grasp the top end thereof for positioning thesewn folds on the open clamping head 149 as shown in FIGURES 6 and 9.Commencing with the nearest sewed pleat (or group of sewed folds) at thetop of the drapery A, the rear operator inserts it into the gap 165FIGURE 15) and thereafter inserts successively each sewed pleat in thecorresponding gaps between adjacent clamping elements 152 until all havebeen duly inserted. The rear operator then closes pneumatic solenoidvalve 166 thereby energizing the ram 158 expansively which closes the.clamping head 149 as previously explained. Thus the top end of thedrapery A is secured to the carriage 124 uniformly across the topthereof in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 9. The front operatorthen gently applies tension to the drapery A in a forward direction totake up any excess material lying across the top of the heating tubes 29of the stationary lower pressing device.

Commencing with the nearest pleating loop 104 on the rearward side ofthe machine 20, the rear operator then individually rotates each of thepleating loops 104 in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed in FIGURE2) to its respective lower limit. When the rear operator rotates thefirst and closest pleating loop 194 it moves the drapery A laterally toallow sufiicient material (and no more) required to form the firstpleat. The next adjacent pleating loop 1194 is then rotated to its lowerlimit which shifts the drapery A laterally again suificiently to allowenough material required to form the second pleat (see FIGURE 3). Thisoperation is repeated successively with each pleating loop 104 as may benecessary to include the entire width of the drapery A. The frontoperator simultaneously performs the same operation with the forwardlymounted pleating loops 104, corresponding front and rear pleating loopsbeing operated at substantially the same time. It is important that thepleating loops 104 be lowered by rotation individually, that is to say,one at a time with respect to adjacent pleating loops 104 as described.Lowering adjacent pleating rings in groups or all at once would resultin damage to the drapery A by tearing or stretching laterally which ofcourse must necessarily be avoided.

The front operator now .closes the electric circuit switch on panel 148to the pneumatic solenoid valve 193 which now energizes the powercylinder 6% in a downward direction. The upper pressing device 42 thenmoves downward until the limiting stops 79 and (FIGURE 2) engage theframe of the pleating rack 81 which halts further downward movement. Theheating tubes 78 of the upper pressing device will now be in theposition indicated at 78' in FIGURE 2 and further illustrated in FIGURE4.

The front operator now electrically closes the circuit to solenoidpneumatic valves 197 and 198 which energizes expansively the powercylinders 119 and 113, respectively. This lowers the upper press rolls1195 to the position approximate to that indicated at in FIGURE 2 andlikewise elevates the lower press rolls 116 to the position"approximately to that indicated at 116' so that they en- 13 mg itsnozzle 168 toward the upper side of the drapery A adjacent to theheating tubes 29 of the stationary lower pressing device 26 usinglateral motion to moisten or dampen the upper side uniformly.

The rear operator continues to operate the manual steam jet sprayer 167as above described but then electrically closes the circuit to theelectric motor 13? for moving the carriage 124- rearwardly. The draperyA now moves rearwardly along a work path parallel with but spaced abovethe plane of the table 21 as best illustrated in FIGURE 9 and continuesalong this path until the entire drapery A, as towed by the carrige 124,is pulled almost completely through the pressing devices 26 and 42 atwhich time the operator de-energizes the motor 139 thereby stopping thecarriage 124.

It will be understood that the said work path includes a plane that isparallel with and co-extensive with the plane of the table 21. Thus,while the entire drapery as a whole has a wave form, transversely of thetable 21, as it passes through the pressing devices, it lies generallyin a common work plane which can be defined as a plane parallel with andmidway between the pressing surfaces of the elements 29 and 78 when theyare engaged by the rollers 1G5 and 116, respectively, as shown in FIGS.5, 9 and 10.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 10 and 17. At this point in order tofacilitate removal of the drapery A after the pressing and pleating isentirely completed, the rear operator using conventional hand clamps ofthe spring resilient type illustrated at 19? in FIGURE 17, applies oneclamp 19? to the nearest group of pleats, e.g. the first, second andthird adjacent pleats. The operator using a second clamp applies it tothe fourth and fifth adjacent pleats but also includes the third pleat.The third clamp is applied to the sixth and seventh adjacent pleats aswell as the fifth pleat, and so on until all of the pleats have beenincluded. Depending upon the length of the drapery A additional seriesof clamps 199 may be required in longitudinal spaced relation. Forexample a second series of clamps is indicated at 1% in FIGURE 10. Whenthe hand clamping as described has been completed the rear operatorre-starts the motor 139 until the carriage 124 moves rearwardlysufliciently to pull the drapery A completely through the pressingdevices 26 and 42, after which the finished drapery is released from thecarriage clamping head 149, by retractively actuating the clamp cylinder158, and removed from the machine.

The operators now operate the machine 2% to revert it to the positionshown in FIGURE 1 to prepare for the pressing and pleating of anotherdrapery in the manner described. The drapery A has now been pressed andpleated by the machine 28 and prepared for removal and packing forshipment. The drapery A is merely lifted from the table 21, includingall hand clamps l9? and 199 which may have been used, and carried to thepacking operation where the hand clamps 1% and 199' are removed.Wrinkling is avoided because the hand clamps 199 collectively securesthe entire drapery A by its pleats and thus preserves it uniformly,intact and in compact easily handled form.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention it can nowbe seen that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved andit must be understood that changes and modifications may be made whichdo not depart from the spirit of the invention nor from the scopethereof as defined in the appended claims. For example the heating tubes29 and 78 may be substituted with heating plates heated by steam, hotair or electricity. Further the various power cylinders could be of thehydraulic type and the electric motors could be substituted with fluidmotors.

What is claimed is:

l. In a drapery pleating and pressing machine comprising apparatusproviding an elongate work path along which draperies are moved during apleating and pressing operation, a pair of opposed pressing heads actingin the direction normal to the plane of said work path and eachcomprising a plurality of pressing elements extending longitudinally ofsaid work path and spaced apart transversely of the work path in fixedrelation with each other and on substantially equal centers, thepressing elements of one pressing head being offset laterally withrespect to the pressing elements of the opposite head so as to bealigned with the spaces between the elements of the opposite head, meansfor moving one pressing head toward and away from the other tointerdigitate and then separate the pressing elements of the two headsin the direction normal to the plane of said work path and means forheating the pressing elements of one of said pressing heads.

2. In a drapery pleating and pressing machine comprising apparatusproviding an elongate work path along which draperies are moved during apleating and pressing operation, a pair of opposed pressing heads actingin the direction normal to the plane of said work path and eachcomprising a plurality of pressing elements extending longitudinally ofsaid work path and spaced apart transversely of the work path on fixedsubstantially equal centers, the pressing elements of one pressing headbeing oitset laterally with respect to the pressing elements of theopposite head so as to be aligned with the spaces between the elementsof the opposite head, means for moving one pressing head toward and awayfrom the other to interdigitate and then separate the pressing elementsof the two heads in the direction normal to the plane of said work pathmeans for heating the pressing elements of one of said pressing heads,and adjustable means for limiting the movement of the one head towardthe other to regulate the depth of interdigitation of said pressingelements.

3. In a drapery pleating and pressing machine comprising an elongateWork surface along which draperies are moved during a pleating andpressing operation,

(a) a pair of opposed pressing heads acting toward and away from eachother in a direction normal to said work surface and each comprising (1)a plurality of narrow elongate pressing elements extendinglongitudinally of said work surface and spaced apart transversely ofsaid work surface on fixed substantially equal centers to leave openchannels therebetween of greater width than the width of said pressingelements,

(2) the pressing elements of one pressing head being offset laterallywith respect to the pressing elements of the opposite pressing head soas to be aligned with the channels between the pressing elements of saidopposite pressing head,

(b) means for moving one pressing head toward and away from the other tointerdigitate and then separate the pressing elements of said pressingheads in the direction normal to said work surface,

(0) means for limiting the movement of said one pressing head toward theother to regulate the depth of interdigitation of the pressing elementsof the two heads, and

(d) means for heating the pressing elements of each of said pressingheads.

4. A pleating and pressing machine for drapery and the like comprising,in combination, a supporting table, a lower pressing device disposedabove said table and having a plurality of parallel laterally spacedfirst heating elements, an upper pressing device disposed in superposedrelation with said lower pressing device and having a plurality oflaterally spaced second heating elements parallel with the first heatingelements, at least one of said devices being vertically adjustable andsaid first and second heating elements being positioned in respectivelongitudinally extending vertical planes for interdigitation wtih eachother upon adjustment of the one device toward the other, pleating meansdisposed between said 15 pressing devices and positioned ininterdigitating relation with said first heating elements, and a movableclamping means disposed rearwardly of said devices and adapted to griptransverse portions of a drapery whereby rearward movement of saidclamping means will pull said drapery between and along said pressingdevices and pleating means when they are in interdigtated relationthereby pleating and pressing said drapery.

5. A pleating and pressing machine for drapery and the like comprising,in combination, a supporting table, a lower pressing device disposedabove said table and having a plurality of first heating elementsdisposed in horizontally spaced vertical planes, an upper pressingdevice disposed above said table in superposed relation with said lowerpressing device and having a plurality of second heating elements inhorizontally spaced planes parallel with the said first elements, atleast one of said devices being vertically adjustable to interdigitatesaid heating elements, said second heating elements being positioned invertical planes interdigitating with the vertical planes of said firstheating elements, pleating means disposed between said pressing devicesin interdigitating relation with said first heating elements, and amovable clamping means disposed rearwardly of said pressing devices andadapted to grip transverse portions of a drapery disposed between saidpressing devices whereby rearward movement of said clamping means pullssaid drapery along said pressing devices and pleating means therebypleating and pressing said drapery.

, 6. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim wherein aplurality of lower press members are mounted on said table forengagement with respective ones of said second heating elements, and aplurality of upper press members are mounted on the table for engagementwith respective ones of said first heating elements, said press membersbeing operable to engage said heating elements when the latter are ininterdigitating relation.

7 The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 6 wherein the uppera nd Tower press members are rollers journaled on horizontal axesextending transversely of said table. V

8. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 6 wherein theupper and lower press members are vertically shiftable, and includingmeans for shifting the press members into engagement with the respectiveheating elements. I V 9. The pleating and pressing machine defined byclaim 5 wherein the upper pressing device is movable vertically towardand away from the lower pressing device, and the pleating means isvertically adjustable.

10. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 9 wherein thelower pressing device is at the forward portion of the table, and thesaid clamping means is movable longitudinally of the table.

11. A pleating and pressing machine for dampened drapery and the likecomprising, in combination, a stationary supporting table, a stationarylower pressing device secured to the forward portion of said table, saidpressing device having a plurality of first heating elements extendinglongitudinally ofthe table in transversely spaced relation with eachother, an'a'djustable vertically movable upper pressing device supportedon said table in superposed relation with said lower pressing device andhaving .a plurality of second heating elements extending longitudinallyof the table and in transversely spaced relation, said second heatingelements being disposed in longitu dinal first vertical planesinterdigitating with longitudinal second vertical planes coinciding withsaid first heating elements, a vertically adjustable pleating rackdisposed between said pressing devices, said rack having a plurality ofindividual pleating elements disposed in superposed relation withrespect to said first heating elements and being vertically movableindividually for interdigitation with said first heating elements inrespective planes coinciding with said first planes, and alongitudinally movable clamping means disposed rearwardly of saidpressing devices, said clamping means being adapted to grip transverseportions of a drapery whereby rearward movement of said clamping meanspulls said drapery longitudinally in engaging relation with said upperand lower pressing devices and pleating elements thereby pleating andpressing said drapery. I

v 12. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 11 wherein thepleating elements on saidrack each comprises a loop mounted for arcuateswinging movement in its respective first vertical plane. Y

13. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 11 wherein thesaid clamping means is mounted on a carriage supported on said table formovement therealong rearwardly of said pressing devices.

14. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 13 wherein thesaid carriage is power operated along guideways extending longitudinallyof said table.

15. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 11 wherein aplurality of lower press members are mounted on said table forengagement with respective ones of said second heating elements, and aplurality of upper press members are mounted on the table for engagementwith respective ones of said first heating elements, said press membersbeing operable to engage said heating elements when the latter are ininterdigitating relations.

16. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 15 wherein theupper and lower press members are vertically shiftable, and includingmeans for shifting the press members into engagement with the respectiveheating elements.

17. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 15 wherein theupper and lower press members are rollers journaled on horizontal axesextending transversely of said table.

18. A pleating and pressing machine for dampened drapery and the likecomprising, in combination, a stationary supporting table, a stationarylower pressing device secured to the forward portion of said table, saidpressing device having a plurality of first heating elements extendinglongitudinally of the table and in transversely spaced relation witheach other, a vertically movable upper pressing device supported on saidtable in superposed relation with said lower pressing device, said upperpressing device having a plurality of second heating elements extendinglongitudinally of the table and in transversely spaced relation witheach other, said second heating elements being disposed inlongitudinally extending first vertical planes interdigitating withlongitudinally extending second vertical planes coinciding with saidfirst heating elements, a vertically adjustable pleating rack disposedhorizontally between said pressing devices, said rack having a pluralityof individual pleating loops disposed in transversely spaced relation,said pleating loops being positioned in superposed relation with respectto the end portions of said first heating elements and armatelyrotatable about horizontal axes in planes coinciding with said firstvertical planes, said upper pressing device having stop means engageablewith said pleating rack for limiting descending movement of said upperpressing device, a plurality of lower press members mounted on saidtable and spaced transversely thereof in planes coinciding with saidfirst vertical planes, a plurality of upper press members mounted onsaid upper pressing device, said upper press members being spacedtransversely in planes coinciding with said second vertical planes,means for elevating said lower press members and lowering said upperpress members for engagement with said heating elements, alongitudinally movable carriage supported on said table rearwardly ofsaid pressing devices, and a transversely disposed clamping head mountedon said carriage, said clamping head being 17 adapted to grip transverseportions of a drapery extending between said pressing devices wherebyrearward movement of said carriage pulls said drapery longitudinally inengaging relation with said upper and lower pressing devices, pressmembers and pleating loops thereby pleat- 5 ing and pressing saiddrapery.

19. The pleating and pressing machine defined by claim 18 wherein atransversely disposed steam jet spray means is mounted on said tablebelow said first heating elements and is adapted to emit steam upwardlytherebetween for 10 dampening a drapery as it is being pulled by saidcarriage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSButterworth Aug. 23, 1932 Post Apr. 18, 1933 Walters Feb. 8, 1949Kjrschbaum Ian. 6, 1953 Braun Dec. 15, 1953 Angew'ne Dec. 18, 1956Gibson et al June 3, 1958 Gibson et al Sept. 2, 1958

1. IN A DRAPERY PLEATING AND PRESSING MACHINE COMPRISING APPARATUSPROVIDING AN ELONGATE WORK PATH ALONG WHICH DRAPERIES ARE MOVED DURING APLEATING AND PRESSING OPERATION, A PAIR OF OPPOSED PRESSING HEADS ACTINGIN THE DIRECTION NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF SAID WORK PATH AND EACHCOMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PRESSING ELEMENTS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OFSAID WORK PATH AND SPACED APART TRANSVERSELY OF THE WORK PATH IN FIXEDRELATION WITH EACH OTHER AND ON SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL CENTERS, THEPRESSING ELEMENTS OF ONE PRESSING HEAD BEING OFFSET LATERALLY WITHRESPECT TO THE PRESSING ELEMENTS OF THE OPPOSITE HEAD SO AS TO BEALIGNED WITH THE SPACES BETWEEN THE ELEMENTS OF THE OPPOSITE HEAD, MEANSFOR MOVING ONE PRESSING HEAD TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OTHER TOINTERDIGITATE AND THEN